Tuesday, January 24, 2017

ROLEX 24: Monster GTD class set to invade Daytona's High Banks...

Will The Racer's Group's return to its Porsche 911
roots garner another unexpected victory at Daytona? (Image source:
autoweek.com)

Shirley, Ah NO Jokes 'bout; Oh Never Mind! Surely
one of the most competitive classes, and definitely the largest...

Of the 55 entries taking part in this year's
Roar Before the 24, (Jan 6-8) approximately half or more were contesting what's
fast becoming a true manufacturer's playground, with an impressive mix of nine
different makes. With entries from Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Ferrari,
Lamborghini, Lexus, Mercedes and Porsche.

And instead of trying to "Handicap"
every Bloody entry, I'll just try highlighting what little I've gleamed from
each brand to date;along with noting
various IndyCar "Ringers," i.e.; current drivers along with past Open
Wheel Racing participants.

As there's a total of three current IndyCar
Drivers taking part, along with a few more that have been discarded...

(2) Acura NSX GT3

Engine: 3.5-litre V-6 turbo

Team: Michael Shank Racing

This is one of the heralded three Factory
newcomers this season, as MSR will run a brace of Acura's with a mix of Sports
Car Aces from the past DP (Daytona Prototype) and GT classes.

As the No. 86 will feature Oswaldo Oz' Negri Jr. & Jeff,
Not Steven Seagull full-time. Tom Dyer will run the Endurance events and The
Graminator, nee Graham Rahal will run Daytona.

The Seester' #93 pairs Andy Lally & Thy
Leggy Juan', nee Katherine Legge of Champ Car and Indy 500 fame contesting the
full season, while Mark Wilkens will run all the Enduros' with "The
Dude!" RHR, aka Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2014 Indy 500 champion contesting
Daytona. As both Hondre' IndyCar drivers are using the Rolex as a winter's
Off-season tune-up.

Hard to believe it
was five years ago when MSR won the Rolex 24 overall with the aforementioned
Oz' Negri, John Pew, A.J. Allmendinger and his good buddy, the late Justin
B-I-G' UNIT Wilson...

(1) Aston Martin Vantage GT3

Engine: 6.0-litre normally aspirated V-12

Team Aston Martin Racing

Know absolutely nothin' about this team,
other than it's running the famous #98 and features a mix of solid drivers with
ex-Formula One's Pedro Lamy and Mathias Lauda, son of triple F1 world champion
"Niki-the-Rat" as part of the driving quartet.

Have already briefly covered my ex-Homeboyz' No.
23 Alex Job Racing's (AJR) switch to Audi this year, as their press release
claims that the Audi R8 LMS has been updated this year.

This trio of entries could be sleepers, as
the #57 Stevenson Motorsports are familiar; as think they're past GTD class
winners? Whilst I cannot find any information regarding the No. 29 Montaplast by Land-Motorsport entry.

For Mwah, I'll be most interested to see how
the #18 DAC Motorsports three quarters Hosers' lime-up does, with current Indy
Lights competitor Zachary Claman De Melobeing the KuhNuck driver with the
longest name on the totally Bacon; Err Kuhnaidiun driving roster! As Yank' Anthony Massari
is NOT like the others; Hya!

Konrad Motorsport has changed quite a bit
since it's Saleen S7R GT Le Mans days, now running one of the plethora of Huracan
GT3's, with the #21 on its flanks -
while I've never heard of this Paul Miller Racing squad, running the No. 48.

(2) Lexus RC F GT3

Engine: 5.0-litre normally aspirated V-8

Team: 3GT Racing

Have previously scribbled 'bout this new
Factory Toy-Yoter squad. As the legendous' Scotty "Scooter" Pruett
and Sage "Dangerboy" Karam are the famed No. 14's full-time chauffeurs,
whilst ex-A.J. Foyt Enterprises IndyCar driver Union' Jack Hawksworth slides
behind the keyboard of the Seester' #15 with Robert Alon for the season.

Past longtime AJR/Team Seattle Stud Ian James
and BAD ARSE Sports Car Ace Dominik
Farnbacher join the team for the Endurance events, as
Dominik, who's won the Rolex 24 GTD class previously in a Riley Viper will
co-drive the #15, with James getting seat-time in the No. 14.

And whilst I know Nothin' about half of the
racing teams campaigning this chassis new to IMSA GT Daytona class competition,
ergo (#80) Lone Star Racing & (#75) SunEnergy1 Racing. I've heard the Merc'
described as a stunner, drawing a crowd when just sitting parked in the
Paddock.

And it's also apparently Bloody Fast! As
ex-IndyCar driver Tristan Turbo' Vautier, who's joined by Boris Said and Aussie
Kenny Habul, the
president of SunEnergy in the No. 75 sliced his way to top
of the class's Time-sheets during one Roar Before practice session.

While I'm partial to the No. 73 Park Place
entry, who I've scribbled 'bout recently, they'll have their Nomex gloves full
for not only best Porsche GTD Honours but scoring that most elusive class
victory.

As Stuttgart's represented with the second
most entrants, trailing only the "Hurricane" runners. Although I've
got NO idea who this #28 Alegra outfit is?

Whilst the wily Kevin Buckler, who won
Daytona overall in a Porsche 911, has rejoined the fold with his long running
The Racer's Group (TRG) #991 troupe including ex-Champ Car Star Jan "Van
Hagar" Heyland...